College/Area Businesses Collaborate to Simulate Interviews for High School Students

March 04, 2008

Anoka-Ramsey Community College Cambridge Campus faculty and area business members conducted mock interviewing sessions at Cambridge-Isanti High School Feb. 26 and 28. The college worked collaboratively with the Cambridge Chamber of Commerce and the Workforce Center to sponsor the program as part of a joint business-education program called "Prepare for the Future Partnership."

"Eleventh-grade students are required to take a Speech Communication class that includes job search skills,"says Cambridge Campus Director of Continuing Education and Customized Training Craig Bakken. "We want to help those students communicate effectively with business and community members, and learn skills they can use throughout their lifetimes."

Each college faculty and business member volunteer was provided a list of sample interview questions and then interviewed four to six students. After the interview, the student received a written evaluation indicating areas of interview proficiency and areas that need improvement.

"Students I worked with seemed genuinely interested in the interview process and suggestions as to how to improve their skills as they approached important job interviews or college entrance interviews," notes Bakken following the interviews. "They were also very curious about how Anoka-Ramsey could meet their educational needs."

For more information about donating to the Anoka-Ramsey Community College Coon Rapids Campus Foundation or the various scholarships, contact Institutional Advancement at 763-433-1130 or visit Coon Rapids Foundation web site.